Little Piranhas

September 26th, 2006

I was 11 years old when the 1987 Minnesota Twins made a remarkable journey through the postseason. In the months after the team’s World Series victory, I watched a slapdash documentary called “Twins Win!” over and over in my dad’s living room. Doing so burned several images in my mind. If memory serves:

1. When Kent Hrbek caught the final out at first base to win the pennant, he crouched down and pumped his firsts.

2. When Kent Hrbek caught the final out at first base to win the World Series, he leaped into the air and pumped his fists.

3. When the team celebrated their pennant victory in the infield, the players remained standing — patting each other on the back and jumping up and down.

4.When the team celebrated their World Series victory in the infield, the players were less subdued. They hogpiled closer Jeff Reardon on the mound; catcher Tim Laudner squatted on all fours over Reardon to protect the ace reliever from being crushed.

Last night, I watched the team celebrate their playoff berth in person at the Dome. Jim scored third base line tickets, upgrading us from my nosebleed season-tickets-on-a-budget in the upper deck. (Thanks, Jim: They were the best tickets I’ve ever had in the Dome, and it was a great game to have good seats.)

After Joe Nathan shut down the Royals for the final out, the Twins poured out of the dugout below us and celebrated on the mound. (No hogpile. Note to Joe Mauer: protect Nathan at all costs. Nathan, protect Mauer.) Jim and I watched (screamed) as local TV reporters scrambled to corner Hunter, Mauer and Morneau. I kept thinking to myself: “I’ve never seen this kind of thing in person before.” I’ve never had playoff (or playoff-clinching) tickets before. I do now.

The Star Tribune published a moving quote from manager Ron Gardenhire, who seems destined to inspire Twins fans to apply his philosophy in the workplace a la Joe Torre. Gardenhire had to be coaxed out of his office and into the clubhouse bash. Close to tears, he told the players:

“From where we started out to where we are now, it doesn’t get much better, boys. It’s all because you got behind each other, you pulled for each other, you cared for each other. Congratulations!

“It’s a wonderful feeling watching you guys play the way you have. Continued success. We’re not done, boys. We’re not even close to done, boys. Let’s go!”